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The South African
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
WATCH the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Xhosa commentary
In a thrilling duel to the line, The Real Prince was crowned king of the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, The Real Prince narrowly got the better of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Grade 1 R5 million race. Third was Selukwe with Royal Victory finishing strongly for fourth. The Real Prince's full brother Gimme A Prince was crowned Champion Sprinter two season's back so there was always a question mark hanging over his ability to stay the 2 200m trip of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. That was answered in no uncertain manner as The Real Prince fought off Eight On Eighteen who was attempting to become the first three-year-old to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Met and the July in the same season. As expected, Oriental Charm set the early pace, but JP van der Merwe was in no great hurry, stacking the field up behind him. Richard Fourie angled Eight On Eighteen in from his 11 draw, but was not able to get anywhere near the rail in the early exchanges. With the pace pedestrian, Fourie made a dash around the final turn hitting the front shortly after crossing the subway and going clear. It looked to be a winning move until The Real Prince loomed up on his outside. Zackey had given his mount a copy book ride, cosy on the rail and keeping Eight On Eighteen in his sights. As Fourie went for broke, Zackey got a clear path and gradually reeled in his rival. It was a nod of the heads at the line, but Kannemeyer had his fourth Hollywoodbets Durban July winner in the bag and his second for Lady Christine Laidlaw and Khaya Stables. It was a plan come together said Kannemeyer speaking in the third person. 'Where were we going to place him. The first time we tried him over a mile he won by six lengths. Great run in the Drill Hall. If we run him in the Gold Challenge and run fourth the handicapper is going to be looking for you. You have to come in at the right time with the right weight and we got the right draw.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Dean Kannemeyer's master plan steered The Real Prince to stunning Durban July victory
The Real Prince, ridden by Craig Zackey, was crowned king at Hollywoodbets Durban July in Greyville on Saturday. Photo: Leon Lestrade Independent Media Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Media In a thrilling display befitting his majestic name, The Real Prince captured the crown at the 129th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday at Greyville. The 18/1 shot delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come and propelled master trainer Dean Kannemeyer to his fourth victory in South Africa's premier horse race. In front of an electric crowd at Greyville, the son of Gimmethegreenlight edged out race favourite Eight On Eighteen in a heart-stopping finish. After the race, Kannemeyer reflected on the strategy with a flicker of pride. 'You must come in at the right time with the right weight and the right draw — and we nailed it. This was always the plan.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ With a precisely executed strategy, The Real Prince surged ahead when it mattered most, overcoming a late charge from Eight On Eighteen to clinch the title. The finish left the crowd on the edge of their seats. The runner-up, trained by Justin Snaith, showcased fierce determination despite the narrow loss. A three-time Grade 1 winner, Eight On Eighteen had hoped to become the first three-year-old to win both the WSB Cape Met and the Durban July in the same season. Only five horses have achieved this prestigious double: Kommetdieding (2022), Igugu (2012), Pocket Power (2009), London News (1997), and Politician (1979). Winning jockey Craig Zackey was beaming as he reflected on his maiden Durban July triumph. 'It's incredible,' he exclaimed, giving credit to The Real Prince's class. 'I think if he had one run in between, he would have won a bit more comfortably, but there were no races that suited him, and we couldn't afford the penalty.' There had been concerns that The Real Prince might be under-raced for Saturday's showpiece, but strategic preparation proved key. 'Where were we going to place him? "The first time we tried him over a mile, he won by six lengths. Great run in the Drill Hall,' Kannemeyer added. 'If we ran him in the Gold Challenge and he came fourth, the handicapper is going to be looking for you. You must come in at the right time with the right weight — and we got the right draw.' The Real Prince propels trainer Dean Kannemeyer to his 4th @HWBDurbanJuly victory. The Real Prince proudly represented his lineage, outperforming Eight On Eighteen & honouring his family. An impeccable ride by jockey Craig Zackey. Congratulations to Khaya Stables. — Dean Kannemeyer Racing (@RaceKannemeyer) July 5, 2025
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
The Real Prince is king of the Hollywoodbets Durban July
The Real Prince, ridden by Craig Zackey was crowned king at Hollywoodbets Durban July in Greyville on Saturday. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media In a thrilling duel to the line, The Real Prince was crowned king at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, The Real Prince narrowly got the better of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Third was Selukwe with Royal Victory finishing strongly for fourth. The Real Prince's full brother Gimme A Prince was crowned Champion Sprinter two season's back so there was always a question mark hanging over his ability to stay the 2200m trip of the July. That was answered in no uncertain manner as The Real Prince fought off Eight On Eighteen who was attempting to become the first three-year-old to win the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and the July in the same season. As expected, Oriental Charm set the early pace but JP van der Merwe was in no great hurry, stacking the field up behind him. Richard Fourie angled Eight On Eighteen in from his 11 draw but was not able to get anywhere near the rail in the early exchanges. With the pace pedestrian, Fourie made a dash around the final turn hitting the front shortly after crossing the subway and going clear. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Real Prince narrowly got the better of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Media It looked to be a winning move until The Real Prince loomed up on his outside. Zackey had given his mount a copy book ride, cosey on the rail and keeping Eight On Eighteen in his sights. As Fourie went for broke, Zackey got a clear path and gradually reeled in his rival. It was a nod of the heads at the line but Kannemeyer had his fourth July winner in the bag and his second for Lady Christine Laidlaw and Khaya Stables. It was a plan come together said Kannemeyer speaking in the third person. 'Where were we going to place him. The first time we tried him over a mile he won by six lengths. Great run in the Drill Hall. If we run him in the Gold Challenge and run fourth the handicapper is going to be looking for you. You have to come in at the right time with the right weight and we got the right draw.' SUNDAY TRIBUNE
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Oriental Charm ready to fire at Durban July
Last year's Durban July champion is stronger and better than last year Oriental Charm will be looking at completing a Durban July double and according to Tim Woodruff, assistant trainer to James Crawford, he is more than capable of achieving that goal. The Grade 1 race will be run over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and the Crawford yard are following a familiar routine as they look for a third successive victory in South Africa's premier race. James' father Brett engineered the last two victories, with Winchester Mansion in 2023 and Oriental Charm last year, and all the preparation took place at their Randjesfontein yard on the Highveld, which was administered by James. This year Brett is preparing to train in Hong Kong, James is operating the yard from their Cape Town base, and Woodruff is running the show at Randjesfontein. James, however, is keeping a keen eye on the goings-on in Joburg. 'He is either on the phone every day or he is up here overseeing everything,' said Woodruff on Tuesday. ALSO READ: Litigation is ready for Durban July call up, says Tarry Woodruff, son of former multiple champion trainer Geoff Woodruff, had been out of racing for a while but admits he is glad to be back again. 'I tried a few other things which I wasn't really good at. Being away from it made me realise how much I missed working with horses.' What he is sure about is that Oriental Charm is putting in some excellent work at home. 'He's very good. I haven't worked with a horse that gives you so much confidence. 'He works himself hard at track every day. He does it hard, and if anything moves up to challenge him he fights back. 'He just shines every day. 'If he can reproduce last year's run with his form now, he will be hard to beat.' ALSO READ: Numbers add up to Eight On Eighteen for Durban July Oriental Charm will jump from the No. 1 draw, which some pundits feel is a concern in a big field with 18 runners. 'I don't see it as a problem,' added Woodruff. 'He has so much gate speed so he will get out well and will have the smoothest trip hugging the rail. ' If he is in front I don't see anybody getting past him.' While Woodruff was not part of the team last year, he does feel Oriental Charm has improved since that victory and he will be strong enough to carry the additional 7kg this year. 'Most horses develop as three- and four-year-olds and reach their peaks as a five-year-old, so he has to be better. His races after the July indicate that.' Since then, the son of Vercingetorix has won the Green Point Stakes, finished second behind Eight On Eighteen in the WSB Cape Met and then had an ideal warm-up when almost dethroning Dave The King in the Grade 1 Independent On Saturday Gold Challenge. He will have one more run after this, the Grade 1 Champions up over 1800m, and then will be off to stud. ALSO READ: What Durban July gallop poll revealed The stable also has a second runner in the Durban July and that is Pomodoro's Jet, who is unbeaten since fitted with cheekpieces. 'He is well,' said Woodruff, 'but his prep didn't go that well. He went off his food, possibly a virus, and had to be scratched from his last run. We're trying our best to get him ready despite missing that race.' Current betting
